The Nehru Zoological Park is set to reopen to visitors from October 6, seven months after it was closed down due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the run up to its reopening, the zoo authorities on Saturday said strict Covid-19 protocols will be in place and encouraged visitors to book their tickets online on the zoo website www.nehruzoopark.in beginning October 6. The NZP officials said while most of the zoo would be open for the visitors, the closed exhibits, such as the Nocturnal Animal House, Aquarium, Fossil Museum, and the Natural History Museum, will continue to be closed until further notice.
All visitors will have to wear face masks and will have to undergo mandatory thermal screening. Anyone exhibiting fever or symptoms of cold, will not be allowed into the zoo. Also, every visitor will have to step through a disinfectant section on the pathway at the entrance.
Physical distancing will be enforced, the zoo authorities said both at the ticket counters and elsewhere. While people can bring their own picnic lunches, they can enjoy their meals or snacks at specific areas designated as eating places. All public utilities in the zoo such as drinking water points, toilets, ticket booking counters, will be sanitized twice a day, the zoo officials said.
While visitors aged under 10 years and over 65 years have been advised not to visit the zoo as per the standard Covid-19 safety protocols, the battery operated vehicles, popular with the elderly and children, will run with only 50 per cent of their normal occupancy. However, a family can either book an entire vehicle on an exclusive basis or a family can occupy all the seats. Meanwhile, guesthouse booking is not allowed.
Visitors have been advised against touching barricades and other surfaces to minimize the chances of spread and contamination and move along designated pathways only.
Spitting in the Zoo premises is strictly prohibited and is punishable with a fine of Rs. 1000/- as per Section 484 of GHMC Act.1955, the zoo authorities said.
